The Attorney addressed the International Court of Justice
alongside 31 other intervening states as part of a case brought
by Ukraine against Russia under the Genocide Convention.
The hearing in The Hague is to hear arguments from Russia,
Ukraine and the intervening States about whether the Court has
jurisdiction to hear the case brought by Ukraine.
Ukraine argues that the Russian Federation falsely claimed that
there had been acts of genocide against Russian citizens in
certain parts of Ukraine as a pretext for its use of force
against the country. It asserts that under the Genocide
Convention, Russia is not permitted to falsely allege genocide as
a pretext for invading Ukraine.
Attorney General, MP, KC said:
Today was an important day for the international rule of
law. It was an honour to present the UK’s arguments before
the International Court of Justice.
The Genocide Convention is an important treaty that obliges
States to prevent and punish genocide. As such, it stands
as a bulwark against mass atrocity.
Alongside 31 other intervening States, the UK has demonstrated
its commitment to the proper interpretation and application of
the provisions of that Convention by intervening in this case.
Just weeks after Ukraine instituted proceedings at the
International Court of Justice, on 16 March 2022, the Court
granted provisional measures ordering Russia to desist from its
military operations in Ukraine.
Ukraine is arguing that the provisions of the Genocide Convention
are to be interpreted, applied and fulfilled in good faith.
Russia has since objected, arguing that the Court does not have
jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the hearing today, the UK made submissions regarding the scope
of the Court’s jurisdiction under the Genocide Convention,
including concerning the requirement of good faith and the fact
that the Genocide Convention does not in any circumstances
authorise States to commit aggression, war crimes or crimes
against humanity.
